Answering Your Las Vegas Raiders Questions, Emails

The Las Vegas Raiders fan base is ravenous for information, and each week we endeavor to feed that voracious appetite with our weekly question-and-answer article.

HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders fan base is ravenous for information, and each week we endeavor to feed that voracious appetite with our weekly question-and-answer article: So without any further adieu, here we go:

Mr. Carpenter,  a quick question about the pick of Tyree Wilson. Why would the Raiders select Tyree Wilson at #7 knowing he had Liz Franc surgery?? Why take the risk that he doesn’t fully recover?? Why not draft a Luke Van Ness or a Christian Gonzalez?? How concerned are you regarding Tyree’s injury?? I look forward to your response.  --Alan M.

I think this is a very fair question.  I can tell you that I checked with multiple teams, and none of them had concerns with Wilson based on their medical evaluations. By all accounts, he is healing and healing well.

However, I had one orthopedic surgeon well-known for having done many surgeries on NFL athletes send me this: "Although professional NFL athletes return to play at a high rate (83%) following Lisfranc injury, their league participation and performance is significantly decreased on return."

Further, he directed me to a National Library of Medicine study on the recovery rate of professional football and rugby players in America after a Lisfranc injury. You can read the study (I highly recommend it) for yourself WEHN YOU CLICK HERE, but clearly, the Raiders and the rest of the NFL feel that Tyree is not a risk.

Hondo, I loved how you mentioned the Raiders re-signing Rock Ya-Sin in your NFL Draft videos.  When I saw it today, I thought about your outstanding coverage. Do you see the Raiders making any trades? --Jordan B.

We could see them before June 1, but in all actuality, post-June 1 is when I would expect them. I never said they would re-sign Ya-Sin; he was a possibility. No longer is that true; he signed with the Ravens today.

Hondo, do you know when the Raiders will hold the rookie mini-camp? --Terry C.

I sure do, May 12-14.

Hondo, what pick do you think had the most value in the NFL Draft?  The guy you think will surprise the most? --Keith R.

I think there are a few. Since you said "pick," I will say Byron Young, the defensive tackle from Alabama, and Christopher Smith, the safety from Georgia. These two young men didn't get much attention or some criticism, but they will make the team and impact it in 2023.

Hondo, I know we didn't draft offensive linemen, but there are two that are UDFAs I would like you to comment on as far as their future. Dalton Wagner, and McClendon Curtis. Any ideas?  --Mike P.

I will not say much because I have been doing a ton of work on those two and will have features on Monday and Tuesday. I expect Curtis to make the 53-man roster and Wagner to make the practice squad. As I said, please check out the features next week on them, but here is a picture of how big offensive tackle Dalton Wagner is:

Photo Courtesy of Andy Hodges

Hondo, I would like to say that your NFL Draft coverage was second to none. You broke the picks on Twitter, your analysis and videos nothing short of spot on with predictions and thoughts, and your mock drafts rocked. I am a huge fan.  I am curious about Jalen Carter. Do you think the Raiders made a mistake passing on him? I know you said they would, but with your connections, do you think they were wrong? --Doug S.

Let me first say, thank you for the kind words. As you will see in a moment, not all emails are kind (but most are), and I appreciate it.  Secondly, of all my connections, three teams would have taken Jalen Carter at seven if he had been there. The others would not.  There were many and various reasons to avoid him. It was a great move by the Raiders.

Nice work on the Raiders Draft preview and follow-up. Also, with the next wave of NFL Free agents upon us, who do you think the Raiders have shown an interest in and may sign? Keep up the good work. --Respectfully, Mark M.

Thank you, Mark. I won't give names right now, but I will say they will be hunters for a key offensive lineman, a linebacker, and possibly even a defensive lineman. They like their roster, know they need, and can upgrade, but they wanted to do as much through the NFL Draft. That is why you see shorter deals for free agents, and they want longer deals for the guys they pick and develop.  

Hondo, I was told that you are doing a behind-the-scenes look at the Las Vegas Raiders draft as you did with the Derek Carr vs. Raiders divorce. Is that correct? When will you publish it? --Vince W.

Yes, and I believe it will be Friday. It could be Monday, but right now, I believe on Friday.

From our weekly Hate Hondo email, here we go:

Hey fat man. I hope you choke on a donut. Your hatred of the Las Vegas Raiders makes me hate and despise you. You suck. --Pat K.

Hondo, as I observed your coverage of the NFL Draft, it became clear to me. You are a voice box for Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels, and they are using you to bash Mark Davis.  I hate you, Ziegler, and McDaniels. I Hope Mark Davis fires you all. --Benton Z.

Hondo, I have no idea why Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler talk to you. It is so obvious that Hondo Carpenter is a Mark Davis attack dog. I hate you as much as I hate Mark Davis.

Here is a complete list of every 2023 Raiders draft pick and links to more information about them:

Round 1 No. 7 overall pick: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

Round 2 No. 35 overall pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Round 3 No. 70 overall: Byron Young, DT, Alabama

Round 3 No. 100 overall: Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati

Round 4 No. 104 overall: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland

Round 4 No. 135 overall: Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue

Round 5 No. 170 overall: Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia

Round 6 No. 203 overall: Amari Burney, LB, Florida

Round 7 No. 231 overall: Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State

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